2026 World Baseball Classic

So you have an opinion on something you didn't even watch. These players are risking their own livelihoods and millions of dollars to play in it so you saying "it's just a money grab" is false. Tarik Skubal is a free agent next season and he is pitching in it. If it was "just a money grab", that would imply the players were treating it as such.

 

You are perfectly entitled to not care about WBC or hate it, or think it is stupid. That is a you-centric view, fine.

But … it is patently false to “it is a money grab”. You didn’t watch it. You didn’t see the joy and pride from the players’ perspective. They care about it and care about representing their countries and playing with countrymen, much like Olympians care about that.

 

Money grab is how you describe the NBA all star week.

 

I have an opinion on I don't wanting our players getting hurt. That doesn't help the Astros. Players owe me nothing but I pay for season tickets. I don't care. It shouldn't be a priority and if God forbid someone gets hurt you'd agree

 

And everything associated with it

 

And entitled to yours

It's not the Olympics.

 

I don’t disagree with you here and that’s why I agree with Major that the timing of it should be moved. As a fan of the game in general, it’s nice knowing the Astros aren’t playing so I can watch this year without having to worry about it.

 

I do not think you get it. Watching WBC games is not something I am interested in because of my opinion about them. Why would I want to watch something I fundamentally disagree with? Baseballs popularity and longevity are due to fact that it is a team sport. A desire to represent your country is what the Olympics are for.

 

That’s great - that’s your opinion and clearly other people share that here. The part I vehemently disagree with is calling it a money grab. A money grab would be the players not being engaged and treating it like spring training.

 

Of course it's not - Olympic baseball is largely irrelevant. It's in middle of baseball season and none of the best players in the world participate. WBC is way more interesting and important to countries and their players. 2024 Olympics even got rid of baseball as a sport because no one cared enough.

 

I don't want star players on my team playing on the WBC. Plain and simple

 

Unfortunately for you, the world doesn't revolve around you and you don't get to decide what's important for other people.

 

Ok. Not sure where that came from but last I checked I was allowed to give my opinion

 

That’s not realistic. It’s a big deal for these players to represent their country in a tournament.

However, I strongly support changing the timing of the event. Either have the WBC serve as a two-week All Star Break like the NHL does with the Winter Olympics, or host it shortly after the World Series ends. Starting pitchers in particular need Spring Training to properly ramp up their arms and pitch counts for a 162-game season.

 

WBC ruined Luis Garcia's career, derailed Edwin Diaz, and almost cost Jose Altuve the season as well, just to name a few. Price is too high for exhibition games.

 

LOL even MLB insurance companies are denying coverage for participating WBC players.

https://frontofficesports.com/wbc-insurance-lindor-ohtani-altuve/

 

Injuries happen in spring training every season. Altuve could have just as easily been hit on his hand in a ST game.

 

What does that have to do with his point?

 

Except he didnt...he got injured playing in the WBC